Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
